Nieve has registered a cool 1.81 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 55/12 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings this season at Triple-A Columbus. The 31-year-old right-hander could be an asset in middle relief for Oakland. Sat, Aug 3, 2013 05:47:00 PM

Indians sent RHP Fernando Nieve outright to Triple-A Columbus.

Nieve cleared waivers after he was designated for assignment earlier this week. The 30-year-old right-hander will continue to serve as pitching depth in the minors. Wed, Apr 24, 2013 02:35:00 PM

Indians designated RHP Fernando Nieve for assignment.

Nieve was only up with the Indians for about 22 hours. The righty did not make an appearance, and hasn't pitched in a major league game since the 2010 season. Mon, Apr 22, 2013 10:30:00 AM

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Nieve has registered a cool 1.81 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 55/12 K/BB ratio across 44 2/3 innings this season at Triple-A Columbus. The 31-year-old right-hander could be an asset in middle relief for Oakland.

He also gets an invite to spring training. Nieve began 2011 in the Astros' organization, but finished the year pitching in Korea. The 29-year-old right-hander last pitched in the majors in 2010 as a member of the Mets, posting an ugly 6.00 ERA and 38/22 K/BB ratio over 42 innings. He'll likely serve as organizational depth.

Nieve asked for and was granted his release so that he could sign with Doosan in Korea. He posted a 7.63 ERA but struck out 17 over 15 1/3 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City before given his walking papers.

Nieve was released by the Pirates earlier this week, but is already in camp with the Astros. The 28-year-old right-hander was originally signed by Houston in 1999. He has a 4.61 career ERA over 185 2/3 major league innings.

Nieve was brought into spring camp on a minor league contract and failed to impress, allowing 17 hits and eight earned runs in 7 1/3 innings of work. He'll try to latch on with another organization before Opening Day.

He'll also get an invite to major league spring training. Nieve was designated for assignment by the Mets in July after posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 38/22 K/BB over 42 innings. The 28-year-old right-hander will reportedly compete for a spot in the starting rotation, though we aren't expecting much.

Making his first start of the year, Fernando Nieve was pulled after allowing five runs in two innings Saturday against the Brewers.

Nieve might have been just fine as a starter at the beginning of the year, but a heavy early workload out of the pen seems to have taken a toll on his stuff. He doesn't belong in the rotation right now, and it'd be no surprise to see him land on the DL soon.

Josh Hamilton's potential suspension for drug use would begin at the start of the season, a source tells Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.

That's meaningful because Hamilton is also in the process of recovering from shoulder surgery, so the recovery and his suspension could coincide. In fact, there's a chance that Hamilton could actually end up serving his entire suspension, whatever it may be, while rehabbing. A decision on a potential suspension isn't expected anytime soon, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.

The club had previously not dismissed the possibility of Richards being ready by Opening Day, but they've now conceded that he'll begin the season on the disabled list. His recovery from patella tendon surgery is going well, though, as he's throwing bullpen sessions and will do simulated pitchers' fielding practice on Sunday. Richards is coming off a breakout 2014 campaign that included a 2.61 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 164/51 K/BB ratio over 168 2/3 innings.